The 102^nd National Christmas Tree Lighting is back for its annual tradition at the Ellipse at The White House and President’s Park.

CBS will broadcast the 2024 National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 20. People from across the country will be able to tune in and celebrate from their own homes. The National Christmas Tree Lighting, which is produced by White Rose Way Entertainment, has a long list of featured performers that will make the tradition even more special this year.

“The National Christmas Tree is a beloved tradition in the United States, shining brightly as a symbol of holiday spirit and national unity,” according to the National Christmas Tree Lighting pamphlet for 2024. “This year, the tree dazzles with a stunning design featuring green lights adorned with twinkling red, white and green spheres.”

This year’s tree is a 35-foot Red Spruce from the and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia.

There will also be 58 smaller trees to represent each United States state, territory and the District of Columbia as well as some Bureau of Indian Education and Department of Defense Activity schools.

Ornaments were designed this year by over 2,600 students from each state, territory, the District of Columbia, and Bureau of Indian Education and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

What time is the National Christmas Tree Lighting?

The special will air on at 8 p.m. EST. The event took place originally, however, on December 5.

The ceremony will be live-streamed and on-demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers. It will be also on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs.

The National Christmas Tree is free and open to the public to visit in person through January 1.

Who will perform at the ceremony?

President will start the ceremony with a Christmas message. There will be greetings from Secretary of the Interior , National Park Service Director Charles Sams III, National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth and by park ranger Dexter Armstrong.

Country singer Mickey Guyton will be the host for the 2024 National Christmas Tree ceremony.

Guest performers include Guyton, musical director Adam Blackstone, singer James Taylor, husband-and-wife-duo The War and Treaty, singer Muni Long, country singer Trisha Yearwood, singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez and jazz artist Trombone Shorty.

Holiday music will be performed by the Airmen of Note.

There will be additional performances from the Baltimore Mennonite chorus, Clear Harmonies carolers, Culpeper County High School a cappella choir, Layla Rochelle Bunch and Wallcetine Taliaferro-Curtis, the Washington Commanders brass quintet, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Will Donald Trump attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting?

Trump is not expected to attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting, as it is a tradition for the sitting president and his family,

Who was the President for the first National Christmas Tree Lighting?

The National Christmas Tree Lighting tradition dates back to 1923. Former President Calvin Coolidge was the first to celebrate. Coolidge walked from the White to the Ellipse for the ceremony. Music was played by the Marine Band, and a 48-foot-tall balsam firm from Vermont was lit.

In 1934, two Fraser firs were planted near the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Park. They were supposed to be used as future National Christmas Trees.

Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill joined former President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the lighting ceremony in 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A new National Christmas Tree was found in York, Pennsylvania in 1978. Former President and his daughter Amy were the first to light that tree.

LED lights were included on the National Christmas Tree for the first time in 2007.